To stay close, every couple needs a game plan. No happily ever after happens without teamwork, relationship goals, and mutual appreciation.
More often than not, a drifting, distant relationship has nothing to do with a lack of love. You can love each other eternally. Compatibility, however, is a different story. Here are some symptoms that your connection might need a little attention:
Decreased (direct) Communication: Are you more likely to send a text than have a face-to-face discussion?
Roommate Syndrome: Does it sometimes feel like you’re merely managing a household rather than living with the love of your life? If children are in the picture, do you feel like nothing more than co-owners of a daycare center?
Changes in Your Sex Life: You may be stuck in a rut or perhaps not sexually connecting at all.
Less Shared Interests and Hobbies: It’s not enough to love each other. You must all love other things together.
To Make Love Stay: Remember Your Roots
Turn off your phones and commit some time to remember. What connected you when you first met? Reminisce over events and moments such as:
First date
When you knew you felt attraction
Telling others about this new person in your life
Obstacles you face and overcame
How you decided to commit long-term
Interests you shared/activities you did together
Sex life
Showing affection
The strengths of your relationship
What concern you may have felt
When you felt most bonded
It’s not sappy to reconnect to your shared past. It can be cleansing. Clear away anything in your way, the effort can motivate you to stay close nd reimagine your love.
More Steps to Help You Stay Close and Committed
In addition to reimagining your relationship dynamics, here are a few other ways to keep love fresh.
Commit to Direct Communication
Healthy communication is your best friend. Step away from your devices and pledge yourselves to honesty, directness, and transparency. This foundation will carry you through many peaks and valleys.
Identify the Issues
Do not slip into passive-aggressive blame games. Make time to air out grievances honestly. ost importantly, focus on how you feel and what work you feel you need to do. This will keep respect and teamwork a key part of your union.
Reimagine Intimacy
Does your intimate life need revival? Do your best to focus on more than just sexual intercourse. Open up to each other about what intimacy means to you and use that information as your guideline to reimagine and refresh this key aspect of your connection. Take every opportunity to kiss, touch, and cuddle.
Express Gratitude
After you’ve recalled your roots, you may recognize that you were once more vocal about your gratitude for each other. Let your partner know what you appreciate about them and why you want to stay close! Even brag on each other to others to demonstrate how proud you are to be together.
Find a Close Relationship Expert
Marriage issues can run deep and, sometimes, seem invisible. Strong emotions can serve as roadblocks to progress and understanding. Yet it is important to view your relationship in a balanced way. Remember how and why you chose each other.
Couples counseling is a setting in which patterns and behaviors are identified and explored. Under the guidance of a skilled professional, you and your spouse can enhance your spring cleaning skills and revive the most important connection in both of your lives.
Explore couples counseling further, I'm here to help you stay close and grow together. Please reach out soon for a consultation.
